Damage and Diseases Caused By Bats

Bats are unique creatures that can be fun to watch in the nighttime hours, fluttering around in the sky. Bats eat insects, which makes the creature essential to the population control of such insects as mosquitos. However, bats can also use your home as a breeding ground which can lead to damage as well as disease. Bats can easily enter the home in openings as small as a dime to their contortionist features. You may never know that bats are in your home until you hear something in the attic or actually see one fly by inside!

Common Areas Bats Frequent in the Home
There are a few common areas in which bats will take up residence in the home due to the environment provided. Bats are known to hole up in attics, crawl spaces and basements when access is provided. Bats can squeeze through tiny holes to gain entry into the home and then use the space as their very own. Droppings and urine will be left behind which can damage the space as well as bring about the risk of disease. 

Spreading Disease
Without wildlife control, bats would be able to spread several diseases. Bats can carry rabies but rarely bite humans, however the disease is still a risk factor. Bats also produce feces known as guano which can carry spores of Histoplasmosis. This is a disease that affects the lungs and can be especially dangerous to children as well as the elderly. 

Bat Mites
Another issue that can occur when bats are in your home are bat mites. Compared to bed bugs, bat mites will infect a human, making the individual their new host. When an infestation occurs, the mites are mistaken for bed bugs and not treated effectively by exterminators. It is important to inspect the entire home and search for the presence of bats in case your ‘bed bug’ issue is actually bat mites so the proper treatment can be provided. 

Structural Damage to the Home
Bats do not chew on the exterior of the home to be able to gain entry, so that’s one area of damage you do not have to worry about. However, bats do leave guano behind as well as urine. This can accumulate over time and the result is such waste will be dripping through the ceiling destroying the insulation of the home as well as soaking into sheet rock. The structure of the home can be majorly damaged and repair service needed which can be quite costly. 

Bat Removal
If you have found bats in your home, it is time to contact wildlife control. Such experts in bat removal will be able to help you remove the pests and recommend what action needs to be taken as far as cleanup is concerned. The experts have experience in removal of such animals, ensuring the area in which bats are coming in to the home is repaired for no further invasions. 

When you come across a bat or other pest issue, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control  today. This wildlife control company can provide assistance to remove such creatures and restore your home back to normal.

Get Rid of Skunk Smell: What Really Works?

Skunks are creatures that can find a home anywhere, but do like to keep to themselves. We all know that if a skunk feels threatened, the animal will spray a solution that is quite stinky! No one wants to be sprayed by a skunk so humans tend to stay away. However, a pet, such as a dog, may be curious and commonly approach a skunk. This can lead to a stinky dog as the skunk will spray the animal before running away. What do you do if your dog becomes the victim of skunk spray? Read on below to learn how to clean your pet and avoid skunk issues in the future. 

Oh The Smell!
So your dog now stinks horribly and you have no idea how to remove the skunk scent. There are several options to try. You can go with an over-the-counter product but this may not be an option if you are away from the store and you want to try a natural solution. If you are able to have someone pick up an over-the-counter remedy, then do so. However, there are ways to remove the stink with products you have at home. 

DIY Skunk Solution
To get started, you have to leave your dog outside. You do not want the scent coming inside the home. Make sure you check the eyes of your pet and ensure they are not red or irritated. If they are, try to flush them out with water before mixing up the cleaning solution. 

The solution you can create from household ingredients includes hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dishwashing liquid. Use 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide (3%), ¼ cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap. Put on rubber gloves and wash your dog with this solution as quickly as you can after the spray took place. Do not put this solution in your pet’s eyes. Be sure to mix the solution as needed as it can explode if placed in a closed bottle or container. 

Once the solution is rubbed in, be sure to rinse thoroughly. After the solution is cleaned away, take time to use pet shampoo and clean and rinse. Hopefully, your pet will now smell fresh and clean. 

Skunk Removal
If you commonly see skunks in your area, it may be time to contact a wildlife animal removal service. Such experts in wildlife removal will be able to assist you with relocating the skunks so they are no longer a problem in your area. It is never a good idea for homeowners to try and catch a skunk as you will usually end up sprayed and stinky. 

Experts in wildlife relocation know just how to handle skunks and have the equipment to do so. You will be able to rest easy knowing that skunks are not lurking around the woods of your home, just waiting for a quick spray. Let your pets run free as you can worry less about having a skunk interaction. Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today if you have a skunk concern to rid your life of these stinky creatures!

Rodents And Hantavirus: How To Keep Your Family Safe

Rodents are a certain category of pests that can infiltrate the home. Mice are a common rodent species that will enter the home and become an unwanted guest. Mice harbor diseases and can make your family unwell due to simply being in the home. Such diseases as hantavirus can affect those in the home, leading to serious health conditions. 

What is Hantavirus?
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a lung disease that is very serious and just discovered in 1993, though it most likely has been around for a longer period of time. While the disease is rare, it is something to consider if you find mice in your home. Rodents, especially deer mice, carry the virus. The virus is left behind in feces, saliva or urine as the rodent moves around your home. 

Infection of the virus can take place when you breathe in dust that has been infected, being bitten by a mouse that is infected or by touching any skin that is broken open with a material or area that is infected. The disease does not spread person to person. Symptoms of the virus include fever, chills and pain in muscles. It can become harder to breathe as the disease progresses. If an individual feels they have been exposed to the virus, treatment should be scheduled with a physician. 

How to Protect the Home from Hantavirus and Other Diseases
To avoid the hantavirus in the home or other diseases, homeowners need to be proactive. You want to create a safe home where mice are not enticed to come in. Make sure rooms are clean and food is put away. Wipe down counters after meals and sweep up any particles of food. Ensure children clean up after snacks or do not leave food items in their room. 

Any packaged food should be closed and not open, offering an invitation to mice. Mice are drawn to food so ensuring foods are cleaned up and put away will be a great deterrent. Another issue that will allow mice into the home is holes or cracks in the foundation or walls. Have the perimeter of the exterior of your home inspected as well as the walls and baseboards in the interior. Check for holes or cracks, areas that mice can easily use to enter the home. Even doors and windows can have small openings that will allow for mice to enter. Have these areas sealed or closed up to make it hard for mice to enter the home. 

Work with the Experts
When you find that you do have a rodent issue, you will need to access rodent control services in Toronto. You want to have your home inspected to remove any rodents and ensure the space is sealed so rodents will not have a point of entry. Experts in rodent care will be able to provide such services, ensuring your home is free of pests and the unwanted diseases they bring along with them. 

Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control when you are in need of rodent control services. Don’t let mice overrun your home. Have the problem assessed by the experts and a solution provided for a safe and clean home.

Pest Control Tips: How To Rodent-Proof Your Home

Rodents are a common occurrence in the home and one that most homeowners dread. No one wants to see a mouse or rat running through the kitchen. While you may keep your home spotless, such rodents can still enter the home and become a nuisance. Learn how to rodent-proof your home so that you do not have to deal with unwanted guests. 

Clean, Clean, Clean
It is very important to keep your home clean. Sweep and mop the floors regularly to ensure no food particles are left. Wash dishes and avoid leaving out food overnight. Rodents such as mice love to nibble on leftovers and food smells can easily entice them from the outside to come inside your home once you go to sleep. Clean out any food from the kitchen sink and be sure to take out the trash regularly so mice are not tempted to get inside your trash can and rummage round. 

Put Away Foods
Because mice like to eat, it is essential that you put away old food. If you are prone to leaving out open containers of food or perhaps crumbs from a snack on the counter, the mice will certainly be attracted to these food items. You can easily have an infestation on your hands when you leave food out. Have children put any candy away or snacks they may take to their bedrooms or the mice will start there and then work their way into the kitchen. If you do find that mice have taken up residence in your home, you will need to take advantage of rodent control services to take care of the issue correctly. 

Seal Any Gaps or Holes in the Home
Besides food, rodents can enter the home via holes or gaps in windows and door frames. Anywhere that your home is not sealed tightly is an open invitation to rodents and pests. To avoid such issues in the future, keep your home in check. Complete regular inspections to ensure that any areas are secure. Check doors and window frames. Inspect the foundation of your home for cracks or openings. Have any areas that need repair fixed to ensure that rodents are not able to get inside your home. 

Schedule Servicing
When you do have rodents in your home, waste no time in contacting rodent control services. Have an expert come to your home for an inspection. The site will be evaluated and a solution determined. Once a plan is in place, the inspector will catch the rodents in your home and suggest steps to ensure the pests do not enter your home once again. 

If you need assistance with rodent control services, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Skedaddle are experts in this industry and are ready to help you remove any unwanted pests in a safe and humane manner. Your home will be well cared for as they evaluate the issue and come up with a timely solution to rid your home of pests. Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today to learn more about the many service options provided.

What is that sound coming from your walls?

Are your family members complaining of scratching and gnawing noises in the ceiling and walls? If this is the case you may be sheltering some uninvited guests….  mice. They use walls as hiding places or even as homes depending on the safety of the area. They make the scratching sounds at night when searching for food and building a safe shelter.

With time, these rodents find their way into the different rooms of your home and can cause unthinkable damage.  Mice have been known to damage insulation, or gnaw electrical wires causing power disruptions. Rats can also transmit diseases to human beings either directly or indirectly through their feces and urine. Getting rid of mice in your walls is crucial before they find their way into your kitchen or bedrooms.

This is not going to be an easy task, you need to know how the mice entered into the walls in the first place. This includes inspecting all areas inside and outside of the home, remember mice can fit through minuscule holes and climb almost any wall. Small holes and gnawed foods near the holes indicate their presence. Also, droppings and nests made of tattered pieces of cloth can also help confirm their presence.

There are some ideas that you can try to prevent mice from getting into your home.

• Use of peppermint

It may seem strange but mice actually do not like the smell of mint. A good and simple option is to plant mint around the perimeter of your home which will deter mice from crossing into your home. Even the use of a diffuser with a peppermint oil has proven to work in keeping not only mice but spiders, and other insects at bay.

• Use of traps and poisons

Traps and poisons are commonly used in many households and to some, they do work. However, these are not the best options available for getting rid of mice in walls as they have many disadvantages. Use of poisons and traps can be dangerous to human beings and pets in the home if placed in the wrong places. For instance, you might find your pet on a trap you had laid for rats and not everyone enjoys removing ead mice in their house.

• Use of cats

These two animals are not the best of friends especially if your cat hunts for its food. Mice view the presence of cats in the house as a threat to their lives and it is even said that just the smell of a cat is something a mice cannot withstand.

• Sealing up holes

Sealing holes is the most efficient method of preventing a mice infestation. Once you are sure all the mice are removed cover the crevices and cracks on the walls with steel and concrete if need be to ensure that they don't re- enter. Although this may seem like a simple job it may be worthwhile to contact an animal control specialist.  Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Hamilton is just one of the locations that is ready to help you with any animal control issues you may have. Their wildlife control technicians will ensure that only the most effective yet humane methods are used to remove the mice.

Getting rid of mice in your walls and other areas in your house will not be a problem to them as they have well-trained specialists who can handle this issue very quickly, clean the area thoroughly and make sure that you will never have to deal with an infestation again.

DIY Bat Exclusion Device

Let’s be honest, none of us would be happy about the idea of bats living under our roof except if it was Batman, of course! Just like us, even bats find buildings more attractive than trees or caves because they not only get shelter but also security. So, if left unchecked, this small issue can get out of hand and turn into a major problem. You could find a handful of bat colonies in your attic, so with a few tips and tricks you can make your home bat proof.

Bat exclusion can be time consuming, complex and may require the help of an expert, but if you believe you can do the job yourself, then there are variety of bat exclusion devices that are available for you. Do not try to quick fix the problem by using bright lights, mothballs or noise which may prove ineffective for stubborn bats. It does not matter what type of devices you choose, as long as you understand the use and installation technique.

You can start by standing outside of your house at dusk to observe where the bats are getting in. Once you locate the area they are living in your home you can begin to seal off any holes or gaps they aren’t currently being used.  You don’t want to block off the main entry point as it is  inhumane, illegal and dangerous to trap bats inside your house. Find out all the information you can on what type of bat you are dealing  with and details like their size, behaviours and birthing seasons to perform a proper bat exclusion.

Some of the Bat exclusion device options:

• Window screen – You have to ensure that you install the screen in such a way that it leaves a small  gap for bats to move out but not come back in. Also, keep in mind that bats may not use the exit point if they find it obstructive. So be very careful.
• Funnels – If you have identified small holes that are being used by bats for entry and exit, then a funnel can be of help. You may create a funnel out of a bottle (cut open both the ends) or even buy it in a store. You may also find special funnels called Batcones and they are available online.
• Bat netting – You can find good poly netting in a wildlife control supply store online that can be used to create valves and remove bats from structures. It is usually stiffer than a window screen and not easily ripped.

It is advisable to install these devices at night because bats are nocturnal and you can be sure that most are out of your home. Ensure that you have bought or made enough devices to cover every possible area. After you have installed these devices, you will have to monitor them for a few days to ensure that each and every bat has left. If you still find some of them left behind, then it's possible that you have either missed an entry point or the device wasn’t installed properly. Unfortunately you may have to start from scratch and re-install the devices.

As you can see this is not an easy process and can be very time consuming.  We all don’t have the extra time to spend on effective bat exclusion but the good news is there are always professionals like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control you can call. These are experts in effective and humane wildlife control and you can be confident they will get the job done properly and prevent any future infestations in your home.

Is DIY Rodent Control an Effective process?

I am sure that you have heard that a rodent infestation is not easy to get rid of. It is the main reason why you should call an animal control professional when there is a problem.  They will make sure that the job is done right however some people prefer taking care of the problem themselves. This is not necessarily a bad choice but, remember DIY control methods must be done properly to avoid future infestations. More often, hiring a animal control company is by far more economical because they can help you get rid of the problem and keep it from coming back for good.

If you still want to try out some DIY rodent control methods you need to understand, before you get down and dirty, the characteristics and behaviour of the rodent you are trying to get rid of.

These following tips will help you with everything there is to know about DIY rodent elimination.

Prepare yourself

Gather as much information on the rodent that is infesting your house. There are some animal control companies you can contact to get some advice and or even a free assessment of the situation.

It is important to understand the eating habits and activities of rodents. Rodents are mostly nocturnal and are highly active at night. They have the habit of gnawing and they can chew through your furniture or cause damage to the house. They also have a high rate of reproduction, therefore elimination of these rodents must be as quick and thorough as possible.

Invest in tools

Once you have studied their behaviour and gathered everything there is to know about them – like the degree of infestation, their nesting area and activities; you can list down your requirements. You can get a wide range of traps and devices from any hardware shop but it's important to get help from experts and choose the right device.

Baits can prove effective for rats, mice, roaches, ants etc. but they are not highly recommended for use inside the home as they contain poison and may harm children and pets, if ingested.

There are many traps that are specially designed for mice and rats but choosing the right one is essential. A mice trap would be too small for a rat while a rat trap will be too large for a mouse.

Glue boards are effective too and can be used within the house. For best results it is advisable to select multiple types of devices.

Go time

Now that you have a plan, act on it. Ensure that you invested in the right devices because after all the effort you have put in, you do not want to leave anything to chance. Remove food sources as they are a  major reason why these rodents were attracted to your house. Once the basic items have been taken cared of, install the traps.

Clean up

After a long and tedious task of eliminating rodents, ensure that you have cleaned the place after them. After all, you do not want the stink left behind and the insects that might gather around their nests and breeding areas. Clean up the corners and seal all holes which may pose a future threat.

Lastly, one of the most common ways of getting rid of rodents is to get a cat. Cats are very active creatures and rodents are known to fear even just the smell of them them the most. Cats will help to prevent mice from making their home yours.

Still have rodent problems?

If after considering all DIY rodent control methods that are available, you still have these little furry animals and they are eating your food, creating havoc and turning your life into a living nightmare, get the help of specialist. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Oakville will help you protect your family and property from these uninvited visitors. They will help you select the best tools and offer the most effective solutions to your rodent problems. Visit skedaddlewildlife.com for a complete list of DIY products and tips on how to keep your home wildlife free.